Moving from Baltimore to St. Paul (2026)

St. Paul has a COL index of 97 vs 110 for Baltimore (100 = US average). You'd pay about 12% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$81/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
110 โ†’ 97
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,900 โ†’ $1,500
per month
State tax
4.8% โ†’ 9.9%
income tax
COL difference
110 โ†’ 97
12% cheaper

Salary needed in St. Paul to match your Baltimore lifestyle

Based on the 12% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in BaltimoreEquivalent in St. Paul
$40K$35,273
$50K$44,091
$60K$52,909
$75K$66,136
$80K$70,545
$100K$88,182
$120K$105,818
$150K$132,273

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$382/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Baltimore vs St. Paul

ExpenseBaltimoreSt. Paul
Monthly take-home$4,441$4,122
1BR rent$1,900$1,500
Groceries$391$384
Transport$88$95
Utilities$175$195
Internet$65$63
Left after essentials$1,822$1,885

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $382 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$466,029

over 30 years compared to staying in Baltimore โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$382/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Paul cheaper than Baltimore?

Yes. St. Paul has a cost of living index of 97 vs 110 for Baltimore (100 = US average). That's about 12% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Baltimore to St. Paul?

On a $75K salary, moving from Baltimore to St. Paul saves roughly $81/month on core expenses. That's ~$972/year.

What salary do I need in St. Paul to match my Baltimore lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Baltimore, you'd need roughly $66,136/year in St. Paul. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only